The invention features an electrophoretic display element. The display element includes an electrophoretic display medium, an optical biasing element to modify an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element, and an addressing electrode to address the electrophoretic display medium. The optical biasing element may include, for example, a distinct layer of material, or may include particles or molecules embedded in a layer of the display element.

Images(16)

Claims(21)

1. An electrophoretic display comprising:

a plurality of electrophoretic elements spaced from each other and comprising electrophoretic particles suspended in a fluid, the electrophoretic elements changing optical characteristics on application of an electric field thereto; and

an optical biasing element visible between the electrophoretic elements, the optical biasing element having a fixed optical characteristic for modifying an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display.

2. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 further comprising an addressing electrode for addressing at least one of the electrophoretic elements.

3. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein the optical biasing element is embedded in the addressing electrode.

4. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein the optical biasing element is disposed between the addressing electrode and the plurality of electrophoretic display elements.

5. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein the addressing electrode is disposed between the plurality of electrophoretic elements and the optical biasing element.

6. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein the plurality of electrophoretic elements are disposed between the optical biasing element and the addressing electrode.

7. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein

(i) the optical biasing element comprises a polymer and a colored species; and

(ii) the addressing electrode comprises a polymer and a conductive species.

8. The electrophoretic display of claim 2 wherein the optical biasing element is in contact with the addressing electrode.

9. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 wherein the electrophoretic elements comprise a membrane that encapsulates the electrophoretic particles and the fluid.

10. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 wherein the electrophoretic display further comprises a binder and wherein the electrophoretic elements are embedded in the binder.

11. The display of claim 10 wherein the binder defines at least one void that encapsulates at least one electrophoretic element.

12. The electrophoretic display of claim 10 wherein the optical biasing element is embedded in the binder.

13. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 wherein the fixed optical characteristic of the optical biasing element is an absorption characteristic that is selected to cooperate with an optical characteristic of at least one of the plurality of electrophoretic elements to control the optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display.

14. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 wherein the fixed optical characteristic of the optical biasing element is a reflectance characteristic that is selected to cooperate with an optical characteristic of at least one of the plurality of electrophoretic elements to control the optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display.

15. The electrophoretic display of claim 1 wherein the fixed optical characteristic of the optical biasing element is substantially similar to an optical characteristic of at least one of the plurality of electrophoretic display elements.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/140,862, filed Aug. 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,155 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electronic displays and, in particular, to the control of the optical characteristics of electrophoretic displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, electronic displays, such as liquid crystal displays, have been made by sandwiching an optoelectrically active display material between two pieces of glass. In many cases each piece of glass has an etched, clear electrode structure formed using indium tin oxide.

A first electrode structure controls all the segments of the display that may be addressed, that is, changed from one visual state to another. A second electrode, sometimes called a counter electrode, addresses all display segments as one large electrode, and is generally designed without overlap of any rear electrode wire connections that are not desired to affect the image. Alternatively, the second electrode is also patterned to control specific segments of the displays. Unaddressed areas of a display typically have a defined, fixed appearance.

Electrophoretic display media have shown promise for the production displays having lower cost, and displays having lower power consumption. Electrophoretic display media, generally characterized by the movement of particles in an applied electric field, are highly reflective, potentially bistable, and consume very little power. Lateral migration of components of an electrophoretic medium, for example, particles in a fluid, can impair the performance of a display. Hence, an electrophoretic display medium can benefit from inclusion of physical barriers to lateral motion of particles.

Physical barriers, however, present a new problem, because the barrier material typically is unresponsive to addressing of display elements. In effect, a portion of the display surface, as viewed by a user of the display, has a fixed optical characteristic. This effect can, for example, reduce display contrast and brightness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The image quality limitations of prior displays may be remedied, at least in part, by the addition of one or more optical biasing elements to a display. The optical biasing elements improve overall display optical characteristics, for example, contrast, reflectance and color characteristics.

The material or materials in an optical biasing element are chosen for one or more optical properties. An optical biasing element may assume various structural forms, for example: an unpatterned layer of material; a patterned layer of material; or particles, perhaps embedded in other components of the display. Moreover, a material used in the fabrication of a component of a display may be selected for its optical properties, so the component may also serve as an optical biasing element.

An optical biasing element modifies one or more optical characteristics of optically fixed portions of a display to produce one or more preferred optical characteristics of the display. Appropriate materials and an appropriate structure for an optical biasing element are chosen to achieve a preferred optical characteristic of fixed viewable portions of a display. For example, a background portion of a display may be made darker, or given a color, to achieve a desired display characteristic.

In preferred embodiments, the invention involves an encapsulated electrophoretic display. An encapsulated electrophoretic display may take many forms. The display may comprise capsules dispersed in a binder. A capsule typically consists of a membrane. The membrane encloses electrophoretic material, for example, electrophoretic particles in an ink, or a single, rotating electrophoretic particles. The capsules may be of any size or shape. The capsules may, for example, be spherical and may have diameters in the millimeter range or the micrometer range, but is preferably from ten to a few hundred micrometers. The capsules may be formed by an encapsulation technique, as described below.

The particles may be two or more different types of particles. The particles may be colored, luminescent, light-absorbing or transparent, for example. The particles may include neat pigments, dyed (laked) pigments or pigment/polymer composites, for example. The display may further comprise a suspending fluid in which the particles are dispersed.

The successful construction of an encapsulated electrophoretic display requires the proper interaction of several different types of materials and processes, such as a polymeric binder and a capsule membrane. These materials must be chemically compatible with the electrophoretic particles and fluid, as well as with each other. The capsule materials, for example, membrane materials, may engage in useful surface interactions with the electrophoretic particles, or may act as a chemical or physical boundary between the fluid and the binder.

In some cases, the encapsulation step of the process need not include encapsulation within a membrane. Instead, for example, a binder may serve to encapsulate electrophoretic material. An electrophoretic fluid may be directly dispersed or emulsified into a binder (or a precursor to the binder materials) for fabrication of a “polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display”. In such displays, the electrophoretic material resides within, i.e. is encapsulated within, voids in the binder. Though such a display medium includes no thin capsule membranes, the binder may be said to provide capsules that encapsulate the electrophoretic material. In this case, the voids are not lined with a membrane, unlike the structure of a display medium that is formed by first encapsulating a electrophoretic medium within capsule membranes, and then combining the capsules with the binder material. The binder dispersed electrophoretic display may be of the emulsion or phase separation type.

The electrophoretic display media lend themselves to fabrication techniques that involve printing. As used throughout the specification, printing is intended to include all forms of printing and coating, including: premetered coatings such as patch die coating, slot or extrusion coating, slide or cascade coating, and curtain coating; roll coating such as knife over roll coating, forward and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; silk screen printing processes; electrostatic printing processes; thermal printing processes; and other similar techniques. A “printed element” refers to an element formed using any one of the above techniques.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention features an electrophoretic display element. The display element includes an electrophoretic display medium, an optical biasing element to modify an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element, and an addressing electrode to address the electrophoretic display medium. The optical biasing element may include, for example, a distinct layer of material, or may include particles or molecules embedded in a layer of the display element.

The optical biasing element may modify optical characteristics of the display element such as contrast or color. The optical biasing element may modify the optical characteristic of the display element by modifying an optical characteristic of portions of the display element that do not respond to addressing of the display element. In particular, viewed portions of the display surface that undergo no changes in optical character can be modified to produce a more desirable displayed image.

The optical biasing element may be disposed, for example, between the addressing electrode and the electrophoretic display medium, between the electrophoretic display medium and the optical biasing element, or between the optical biasing element and the addressing electrode. The optical biasing element may include a layer of material that is first deposited on an adjacent layer of the display element, for example, a substrate.

The optical biasing element may be selected with a predetermined optical characteristic. For example, the element may be chosen to have a particular color, reflectance or absorption property. By modifying an optical characteristic of portions of a display that do not evince optical characteristic changes during operation, the optical biasing element may modify overall optical characteristics of a display element.

The predetermined optical characteristic may be an absorption characteristic that is selected to cooperate with an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display medium to control the optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element. Alternatively, the predetermined optical characteristic may be a reflectance characteristic that is selected to cooperate with an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display medium.

The predetermined optical characteristic of the optical biasing element may be substantially similar to an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display medium. For example, the predetermined characteristic may be selected to provide an improved black state for the display or an improved white state for the display by matching the respective black or white performance of the electrophoretic display medium.

The addressing electrode may include a polymer and a conductive species that imparts a conductive property to the addressing electrode.

The optical biasing element may include a polymer and a colored species that imparts an optical bias effect to the optical biasing element. The addressing electrode may include a polymer and a conductive species that imparts a conductive property to the addressing electrode.

The electrophoretic display medium may include an electrophoretic fluid and a binder, with the optical biasing element embedded in the binder. The optical biasing element may include particles, molecules or atoms that modify an optical property of the binder. The electrophoretic display medium may further include one or more capsules that encapsulate the electrophoretic fluid. The capsules are surrounded at least in part by the binder. Alternatively, the binder defines one or more voids within which the electrophoretic fluid is encapsulated.

In some embodiments, an optical biasing element is embedded in the addressing electrode. Some embodiments have an optical biasing element that includes a lamination adhesive. For example, the lamination adhesive may be used to laminate a electrophoretic display medium layer to an addressing electrode layer.

The optical biasing element may include a polymer and a colored species that imparts an optical bias effect to the optical biasing element. The biasing element may include, for example, carbon black particles, a noble metal or titania particles.

The addressing electrode may include a polymer and a conductive species that imparts a conductive property. The optical biasing element may include a polymeric carrier and a biasing material compounded with the polymeric carrier.

In a second aspect, the invention features a method for constructing an electrophoretic display element. The method includes providing an electrophoretic display medium, providing an addressing electrode adjacent to the electrophoretic display medium, and providing an optical biasing element adjacent to the electrophoretic display medium. The optical biasing element modifies an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element.

The method may further include laminating the electrophoretic display medium, the optical biasing element and the addressing electrode. For example, the addressing electrode may be formed on a first substrate layer. The electrophoretic display medium and optical biasing element may be formed on a second substrate layer. The two substrate assemblies are then attached to one another by lamination. Lamination may include use of an adhesive.

In some embodiments, the optical biasing element is itself an adhesive layer. A lamination process may then include disposing the optical biasing element between the electrophoretic display medium and the addressing electrode. Such an optical biasing element serves to attach the electrophoretic display medium to the addressing electrode.

The method may include selection of a reflectance of the optical biasing element. A color of the optical biasing element may be selected.

In a third aspect, the invention features another method for constructing an electrophoretic display element. The method includes providing an electrophoretic display medium comprising a binder and an electrophoretic fluid, embedding an optical biasing element in the binder to modify an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element, and providing an addressing electrode adjacent to the electrophoretic display medium.

In a fourth aspect, the invention features another method for constructing an electrophoretic display element. The method includes providing an electrophoretic display medium, providing an addressing electrode adjacent to the electrophoretic display medium, and embedding an optical biasing element in the addressing electrode to modify an optical characteristic of the electrophoretic display element. Alternatively, the addressing electrode may be both an electrode and an optical biasing element by choosing an electrode material with a desired optical characteristic.

The addressing electrode and the optical biasing element may be formed from metallic particles. The addressing electrode may be formed from a polymeric carrier, and carbon may be embedded into the polymeric carrier via compounding. Alternatively, a pigment material may be compounded with an addressing electrode material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display in which the smaller electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the large electrode causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrode.

FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display in which the larger electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the smaller electrode causing the particles to migrate to the larger electrode.

FIG. 1C is a diagrammatic top-down view of one embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure.

FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure having a retroreflective layer associated with the larger electrode in which the smaller electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the large electrode causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrode.

FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure having a retroreflective layer associated with the larger electrode in which the larger electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the smaller electrode causing the particles to migrate to the larger electrode.

FIG. 2C is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure having a retroreflective layer disposed below the larger electrode in which the smaller electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the large electrode causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrode.

FIG. 2D is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure having a retroreflective layer disposed below the larger electrode in which the larger electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the smaller electrode causing the particles to migrate to the larger electrode.

FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of an addressing structure in which a direct-current electric field has been applied to the capsule causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrode.

FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of an addressing structure in which an alternating-current electric field has been applied to the capsule causing the particles to disperse into the capsule.

FIG. 3C is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of an addressing structure having transparent electrodes, in which a direct-current electric field has been applied to the capsule causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrode.

FIG. 3D is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of an addressing structure having transparent electrodes, in which an alternating-current electric field has been applied to the capsule causing the particles to disperse into the capsule.

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display in which multiple smaller electrodes have been placed at a voltage relative to multiple larger electrodes, causing the particles to migrate to the smaller electrodes.

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display in which multiple larger electrodes have been placed at a voltage relative to multiple smaller electrodes, causing the particles to migrate to the larger electrodes.

FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display having colored electrodes and a white electrode, in which the colored electrodes have been placed at a voltage relative to the white electrode causing the particles to migrate to the colored electrodes.

FIG. 5B is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure for a particle-based display having colored electrodes and a white electrode, in which the white electrode has been placed at a voltage relative to the colored electrodes causing the particles to migrate to the white electrode.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a color display element having red, green, and blue particles of different electrophoretic mobilities.

FIGS. 7A-7B depict the steps taken to address the display of FIG. 6 to display red.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict the steps taken to address the display of FIG. 6 to display blue.

FIGS. 9A-9C depict the steps taken to address the display of FIG. 6 to display green.

FIG. 10 is a perspective embodiment of a rear electrode structure for addressing a seven segment display.

FIG. 11 is a perspective embodiment of a rear electrode structure for addressing a three by three matrix display element.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a printed circuit board used as a rear electrode addressing structure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a dielectric sheet used as a rear electrode addressing structure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a rear electrode addressing structure that is formed by printing.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a control grid addressing structure.

FIG. 16 is an embodiment of an electrophoretic display that can be addressed using a stylus.

FIG. 17a is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electrophoretic display medium.

FIG. 17b is a planar-sectional view of an electrophoretic display medium corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17a.

FIGS. 18a-18c are cross-sectional views of embodiments of an electrophoretic display element having an optical biasing element at various locations.

FIGS. 19a and 19b are cross-sectional views of embodiments of an electrophoretic display element having an optical biasing element embedded in a binder.

FIGS. 20a and 20b are cross-sectional views of embodiments of an electrophoretic display element having an optical biasing element embedded in an electrode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, color electrophoretic displays are first described, with reference to FIGS. 1-16. Then, electrophoretic displays that include an optical biasing element are described, with reference to FIGS. 17-20.

An electronic ink is an optoelectronically active material which comprises at least two phases: an electrophoretic contrast medium phase and a coating/binding phase. The electrophoretic phase comprises, in some embodiments, a single species of electrophoretic particles dispersed in a clear or dyed medium, or more than one species of electrophoretic particles having distinct physical and electrical characteristics dispersed in a clear or dyed medium. In some embodiments the electrophoretic phase is encapsulated, that is, there is a capsule wall phase, i.e., a membrane, between the two phases.

The coating/binding phase includes, in one embodiment, a polymer matrix that surrounds the electrophoretic phase. In this embodiment, the polymer in the polymeric binder is capable of being dried, crosslinked, or otherwise cured as in traditional inks, and therefore a printing process can be used to deposit the electronic ink onto a substrate. An electronic ink is capable of being printed by several different processes, depending on the mechanical properties of the specific ink employed. For example, the fragility or viscosity of a particular ink may result in a different process selection. A very viscous ink would not be well-suited to deposition by an inkjet printing process, while a fragile ink might not be used in a knife over roll coating process.

The optical quality of an electronic ink is quite distinct from other electronic display materials. The most notable difference is that the electronic ink provides a high degree of both reflectance and contrast because it is pigment based (as are ordinary printing inks). The light scattered from the electronic ink comes from a very thin layer of pigment close to the top of the viewing surface. In this respect it resembles an ordinary, printed image. Also, electronic ink is easily viewed from a wide range of viewing angles in the same manner as a printed page, and such ink approximates a Lambertian contrast curve more closely than any other electronic display material.

Since electronic ink can be printed, it can be included on the same surface with any other printed material, including traditional inks. Electronic ink can be made optically stable in all display configurations, that is, the ink can be set to a persistent optical state. Fabrication of a display by printing an electronic ink is particularly useful in low power applications because of this stability.

Electronic ink displays are novel in that they can be addressed by DC voltages and draw very little current. As such, the conductive leads and electrodes used to deliver the voltage to electronic ink displays can be of relatively high resistivity. The ability to use resistive conductors substantially widens the number and type of materials that can be used as conductors in electronic ink displays. In particular, the use of costly vacuum-sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) conductors, a standard material in liquid crystal devices, is not required.

Aside from cost savings, the replacement of ITO with other materials can provide benefits in appearance, processing capabilities (printed conductors), flexibility, and durability. Additionally, the printed electrodes are in contact only with a solid binder, not with a fluid layer (like liquid crystals). This means that some conductive materials, which would otherwise dissolve or be degraded by contact with liquid crystals, can be used in an electronic ink application. These include opaque metallic inks for the rear electrode (e.g., silver and graphite inks), as well as conductive transparent inks for either substrate. These conductive coatings include semiconducting colloids, examples of which are indium tin oxide and antimony-doped tin oxide.

Organic conductors (polymeric conductors and molecular organic conductors) also may be used. Polymers include, but are not limited to, polyaniline and derivatives, polythiophene and derivatives, poly3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) and derivatives, polypyrrole and derivatives, and polyphenylenevinylene (PPV) and derivatives. Organic molecular conductors include, but are not limited to, derivatives of naphthalene, phthalocyanine, and pentacene. Polymer layers can be made thinner and more transparent than with traditional displays because conductivity requirements are not as stringent.

As an example, there is a class of materials called electroconductive powders, which are also useful as coatable transparent conductors in electronic ink displays. One example is Zelec ECP electroconductive powders from DuPont Chemical Co. of Wilmington, Del.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an addressing scheme for controlling particle-based displays is shown in which electrodes are disposed on only one side of a display, allowing the display to be rear-addressed. Utilizing only one side of the display for electrodes simplifies fabrication of displays. For example, if the electrodes are disposed on only the rear side of a display, both of the electrodes can be fabricated using opaque materials, because the electrodes do not need to be transparent.

FIG. 1A depicts a single capsule 20 of an encapsulated display media. In brief overview, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A includes a capsule 20 containing at least one particle 50 dispersed in a suspending fluid 25. The capsule 20 is addressed by a first electrode 30 and a second electrode 40. The first electrode 30 is smaller than the second electrode 40. The first electrode 30 and the second electrode 40 may be set to voltage potentials which affect the position of the particles 50 in the capsule 20.

The particles 50 represent 0.1% to 20% of the volume enclosed by the capsule 20. In some embodiments the particles 50 represent 2.5% to 17.5% of the volume enclosed by capsule 20. In preferred embodiments, the particles 50 represent 5% to 15% of the volume enclosed by the capsule 20. In more preferred embodiments the particles 50 represent 9% to 11% of the volume defined by the capsule 20. In general, the volume percentage of the capsule 20 that the particles 50 represent should be selected so that the particles 50 expose most of the second, larger electrode 40 when positioned over the first, smaller electrode 30. As described in detail below, the particles 50 may be colored any one of a number of colors. The particles 50 may be either positively charged or negatively charged.

The particles 50 are dispersed in a dispersing fluid 25. The dispersing fluid 25 should have a low dielectric constant. The fluid 25 may be clear, or substantially clear, so that the fluid 25 does not inhibit viewing the particles 50 and the electrodes 30, 40 from position 10. In other embodiments, the fluid 25 is dyed. In some embodiments the dispersing fluid 25 has a specific gravity matched to the density of the particles 50. These embodiments can provide a bistable display media, because the particles 50 do not tend to move in certain compositions absent an electric field applied via the electrodes 30, 40.

The electrodes 30, 40 should be sized and positioned appropriately so that together they address the entire capsule 20. There may be exactly one pair of electrodes 30, 40 per capsule 20, multiple pairs of electrodes 30, 40 per capsule 20, or a single pair of electrodes 30, 40 may span multiple capsules 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the capsule 20 has a flattened, rectangular shape. In these embodiments, the electrodes 30, 40 should address most, or all, of the flattened surface area adjacent the electrodes 30, 40.

The smaller electrode 30 is at most one-half the size of the larger electrode 40. In preferred embodiments the smaller electrode is one-quarter the size of the larger electrode 40; in more preferred embodiments the smaller electrode 30 is one-eighth the size of the larger electrode 40. In even more preferred embodiments, the smaller electrode 30 is one-sixteenth the size of the larger electrode 40. It should be noted that reference to “smaller” in connection with the electrode 30 means that the electrode 30 addresses a smaller amount of the surface area of the capsule 20, not necessarily that the electrode 30 is physically smaller than the larger electrode 40. For example, multiple capsules 20 may be positioned such that less of each capsule 20 is addressed by the “smaller” electrode 30, even though both electrodes 30, 40 are equal in size. It should also be noted that, as shown in FIG. 1C, electrode 30 may address only a small corner of a rectangular capsule 20 (shown in phantom view in FIG. 1C), requiring the larger electrode 40 to surround the smaller electrode 30 on two sides in order to properly address the capsule 20. Selection of the percentage volume of the particles 50 and the electrodes 30, 40 in this manner allow the encapsulated display media to be addressed as described below.

Electrodes may be fabricated from any material capable of conducting electricity so that electrode 30, 40 may apply an electric field to the capsule 20. As noted above, the rear-addressed embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B allow the electrodes 30, 40 to be fabricated from opaque materials such as solder paste, copper, copper-clad polyimide, graphite inks, silver inks and other metal-containing conductive inks. Alternatively, electrodes may be fabricated using transparent materials such as indium tin oxide and conductive polymers such as polyaniline or polythiopenes. Electrodes 30, 40 may be provided with contrasting optical properties. In some embodiments, one of the electrodes has an optical property complementary to optical properties of the particles 50.

In one embodiment, the capsule 20 contains positively charged black particles 50, and a substantially clear suspending fluid 25. The first, smaller electrode 30 is colored black, and is smaller than the second electrode 40, which is colored white or is highly reflective. When the smaller, black electrode 30 is placed at a negative voltage potential relative to larger, white electrode 40, the positively-charged particles 50 migrate to the smaller, black electrode 30. The effect to a viewer of the capsule 20 located at position 10 is a mixture of the larger, white electrode 40 and the smaller, black electrode 30, creating an effect which is largely white.

Referring to FIG. 1B, when the smaller, black electrode 30 is placed at a positive voltage potential relative to the larger, white electrode 40, particles 50 migrate to the larger, white electrode 40 and the viewer is presented a mixture of the black particles 50 covering the larger, white electrode 40 and the smaller, black electrode 30, creating an effect which is largely black. In this manner the capsule 20 may be addressed to display either a white visual state or a black visual state.

Other two-color schemes are easily provided by varying the color of the smaller electrode 30 and the particles 50 or by varying the color of the larger electrode 40. For example, varying the color of the larger electrode 40 allows fabrication of a rear-addressed, two-color display having black as one of the colors. Alternatively, varying the color of the smaller electrode 30 and the particles 50 allow a rear-addressed two-color system to be fabricated having white as one of the colors.

Further, it is contemplated that the particles 50 and the smaller electrode 30 can be different colors. In these embodiments, a two-color display may be fabricated having a second color that is different from the color of the smaller electrode 30 and the particles 50. For example, a rear-addressed, orange-white display may be fabricated by providing blue particles 50, a red, smaller electrode 30, and a white (or highly reflective) larger electrode 40. In general, the optical properties of the electrodes 30, 40 and the particles 50 can be independently selected to provide desired display characteristics. In some embodiments the optical properties of the dispersing fluid 25 may also be varied, e.g. the fluid 25 may be dyed.

In other embodiments, the larger electrode 40 may be reflective instead of white. In these embodiments, when the particles 50 are moved to the smaller electrode 30, light reflects off the reflective surface 60 associated with the larger electrode 40 and the capsule 20 appears light in color, e.g. white (see FIG. 2A). When the particles 50 are moved to the larger electrode 40, the reflecting surface 60 is obscured and the capsule 20 appears dark (see FIG. 2B) because light is absorbed by the particles 50 before reaching the reflecting surface 60.

The reflecting surface 60 for the larger electrode 40 may possess retroflective properties, specular reflection properties, diffuse reflective properties or gain reflection properties. In certain embodiments, the reflective surface 60 reflects light with a Lambertian distribution The surface 60 may be provided as a plurality of glass spheres disposed on the electrode 40, a diffractive reflecting layer such as a holographically formed reflector, a surface patterned to totally internally reflect incident light, a brightness-enhancing film, a diffuse reflecting layer, an embossed plastic or metal film, or any other known reflecting surface. The reflecting surface 60 may be provided as a separate layer laminated onto the larger electrode 40 or the reflecting surface 60 may be provided as a unitary part of the larger electrode 40.

In the embodiments depicted by FIGS. 2C and 2D, the reflecting surface may be disposed below the electrodes 30, 40 vis-a-vis the viewpoint 10. In these embodiments, electrode 30 should be transparent so that light may be reflected by surface 60. In other embodiments, proper switching of the particles may be accomplished with a combination of alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) electric fields and described below in connection with FIGS. 3A-3D.

In still other embodiments, the rear-addressed display previously discussed can be configured to transition between largely transmissive and largely opaque modes of operation (referred to hereafter as “shutter mode”). Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in these embodiments the capsule 20 contains at least one positively-charged particle 50 dispersed in a substantially clear dispersing fluid 25. The larger electrode 40 is transparent and the smaller electrode 30 is opaque. When the smaller, opaque electrode 30 is placed at a negative voltage potential relative to the larger, transmissive electrode 40, the particles 50 migrate to the smaller, opaque electrode 30. The effect to a viewer of the capsule 20 located at position 10 is a mixture of the larger, transparent electrode 40 and the smaller, opaque electrode 30, creating an effect which is largely transparent.

Referring to FIG. 1B, when the smaller, opaque electrode 30 is placed at a positive voltage potential relative to the larger, transparent electrode 40, particles 50 migrate to the second electrode 40 and the viewer is presented a mixture of the opaque particles 50 covering the larger, transparent electrode 40 and the smaller, opaque electrode 30, creating an effect which is largely opaque. In this manner, a display formed using the capsules depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be switched between transmissive and opaque modes. Such a display can be used to construct a window that can be rendered opaque. Although FIGS. 1A-2D depict a pair of electrodes associated with each capsule 20, it should be understood that each pair of electrodes may be associated with more than one capsule 20.

A similar technique may be used in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Referring to FIG. 3A, a capsule 20 contains at least one dark or black particle 50 dispersed in a substantially clear dispersing fluid 25. A smaller, opaque electrode 30 and a larger, transparent electrode 40 apply both direct-current (DC) electric fields and alternating-current (AC) fields to the capsule 20. A DC field can be applied to the capsule 20 to cause the particles 50 to migrate towards the smaller electrode 30. For example, if the particles 50 are positively charged, the smaller electrode is placed a voltage that is more negative than the larger electrode 40. Although FIGS. 3A-3D depict only one capsule per electrode pair, multiple capsules may be addressed using the same electrode pair.

The smaller electrode 30 is at most one-half the size of the larger electrode 40. In preferred embodiments the smaller electrode is one-quarter the size of the larger electrode 40; in more preferred embodiments the smaller electrode 30 is one-eighth the size of the larger electrode 40. In even more preferred embodiments, the smaller electrode 30 is one-sixteenth the size of the larger electrode 40.

Causing the particles 50 to migrate to the smaller electrode 30, as depicted in FIG. 3A, allows incident light to pass through the larger, transparent electrode 40 and be reflected by a reflecting surface 60. In shutter mode, the reflecting surface 60 is replaced by a translucent layer, a transparent layer, or a layer is not provided at all, and incident light is allowed to pass through the capsule 20, i.e. the capsule 20 is transmissive.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, the particles 50 are dispersed into the capsule 20 by applying an AC field to the capsule 20 via the electrodes 30, 40. The particles 50, dispersed into the capsule 20 by the AC field, block incident light from passing through the capsule 20, causing it to appear dark at the viewpoint 10. The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B may be used in shutter mode by not providing the reflecting surface 60 and instead providing a translucent layer, a transparent layer, or no layer at all. In shutter mode, application of an AC electric field causes the capsule 20 to appear opaque. The transparency of a shutter mode display formed by the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 3A-3D may be controlled by the number of capsules addressed using DC fields and AC fields. For example, a display in which every other capsule 20 is addressed using an AC field would appear fifty percent transmissive.

FIGS. 3C and 3D depict an embodiment of the electrode structure described above in which electrodes 30, 40 are on “top” of the capsule 20, that is, the electrodes 30, 40 are between the viewpoint 10 and the capsule 20. In these embodiments, both electrodes 30, 40 should be transparent. Transparent polymers can be fabricated using conductive polymers, such as polyaniline, polythiophenes, or indium tin oxide. These materials may be made soluble so that electrodes can be fabricated using coating techniques such as spin coating, spray coating, meniscus coating, printing techniques, forward and reverse roll coating and the like. In these embodiments, light passes through the electrodes 30, 40 and is either absorbed by the particles 50, reflected by retroreflecting layer 60 (when provided), or transmitted throughout the capsule 20 (when retroreflecting layer 60 is not provided).

The addressing structure depicted in FIGS. 3A-3D may be used with electrophoretic display media and encapsulated electrophoretic display media. FIGS. 3A-3D depict embodiments in which electrode 30, 40 are statically attached to the display media. In certain embodiments, the particles 50 exhibit bistability, that is, they are substantially motionless in the absence of a electric field. In these embodiments, the electrodes 30, 40 may be provided as part of a “stylus” or other device which is scanned over the material to address each capsule or cluster of capsules. This mode of addressing particle-based displays will be described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a capsule 20 of a electronically addressable media is illustrated in which the technique illustrated above is used with multiple rear-addressing electrodes. The capsule 20 contains at least one particle 50 dispersed in a clear suspending fluid 25. The capsule 20 is addressed by multiple smaller electrodes 30 and multiple larger electrodes 40. In these embodiments, the smaller electrodes 30 should be selected to collectively be at most one-half the size of the larger electrodes 40. In further embodiments, the smaller electrodes 30 are collectively one-fourth the size of the larger electrodes 40. In further embodiments the smaller electrodes 30 are collectively one-eighth the size of the larger electrodes 40. In preferred embodiments, the smaller electrodes 30 are collectively one-sixteenth the size of the larger electrodes.

Each electrode 30 may be provided as separate electrodes that are controlled in parallel to control the display. For example, each separate electrode may be substantially simultaneously set to the same voltage as all other electrodes of that size. Alternatively, the electrodes 30, 40 may be interdigitated to provide the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Operation of the rear-addressing electrode structure depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B is similar to that described above. For example, the capsule 20 may contain positively charged, black particles 50 dispersed in a substantially clear suspending fluid 25. The smaller electrodes 30 are colored black and the larger electrodes 40 are colored white or are highly reflective. Referring to FIG. 4A, the smaller electrodes 30 are placed at a negative potential relative to the larger electrodes 40, causing particles 50 migrate within the capsule to the smaller electrodes 30 and the capsule 20 appears to the viewpoint 10 as a mix of the larger, white electrodes 40 and the smaller, black electrodes 30, creating an effect which is largely white.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the smaller electrodes 30 are placed at a positive potential relative to the larger electrodes 40, particles 50 migrate to the larger electrodes 40 causing the capsule 20 to display a mix of the larger, white electrodes 40 occluded by the black particles 50 and the smaller, black electrodes 30, creating an effect which is largely black. The techniques described above with respect to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B for producing two-color displays work with equal effectiveness in connection with these embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an embodiment of a rear-addressing electrode structure that creates a reflective color display in a manner similar to halftoning or pointillism. The capsule 20 contains white particles 55 dispersed in a clear suspending fluid 25. Electrodes 42, 44, 46, 48 are colored cyan, magenta, yellow, and white respectively. Referring to FIG. 5A, when the colored electrodes 42, 44, 46 are placed at a positive potential relative to the white electrode 48, negatively-charged particles 55 migrate to these three electrodes, causing the capsule 20 to present to the viewpoint 10 a mix of the white particles 55 and the white electrode 48, creating an effect which is largely white. Referring to FIG. 5B, when electrodes 42, 44, 46 are placed at a negative potential relative to electrode 48, particles 55 migrate to the white electrode 48, and the eye 10 sees a mix of the white particles 55, the cyan electrode 42, the magenta electrode 44, and the yellow electrode 46, creating an effect which is largely black or gray.

By addressing the electrodes, any color can be produced that is possible with a subtractive color process. For example, to cause the capsule 20 to display an orange color to the viewpoint 10, the yellow electrode 46 and the magenta electrode 42 are set to a voltage potential that is more positive than the voltage potential applied by the cyan electrode 42 and the white electrode 48. Further, the relative intensities of these colors can be controlled by the actual voltage potentials applied to the electrodes.

In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 6, a color display is provided by a capsule 20 of size d containing multiple species of particles in a clear, dispersing fluid 25. Each species of particles has different optical properties and possess different electrophoretic mobilities μ from the other species. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the capsule 20 contains red particles 52, blue particles 54, and green particles 56, and
|μR|>|μB|>|μG|
That is, the magnitude of the electrophoretic mobility of the red particles 52, on average, exceeds the electrophoretic mobility of the blue particles 54, on average, and the electrophoretic mobility of the blue particles 54, on average, exceeds the average electrophoretic mobility of the green particles 56. As an example, there may be a species of red particle with a zeta potential of 100 millivolts (mV), a blue particle with a zeta potential of 60 mV, and a green particle with a zeta potential of 20 mV. The capsule 20 is placed between two electrodes 32, 42 that apply an electric field to the capsule.

FIGS. 7A-7B depict the steps to be taken to address the display shown in FIG. 6 to display a red color to a viewpoint 10. Referring to FIG. 7A, all the particles 52, 54, 56 are attracted to one side of the capsule 20 by applying an electric field in one direction. The electric field should be applied to the capsule 20 long enough to attract even the more slowly moving green particles 56 to the electrode 34. Referring to FIG. 7B, the electric field is reversed just long enough to allow the red particles 52 to migrate towards the electrode 32. The blue particles 54 and green particles 56 will also move in the reversed electric field, but they will not move as fast as the red particles 52 and thus will be obscured by the red particles 52. The amount of time for which the applied electric field must be reversed can be determined from the relative electrophoretic mobilities of the particles, the strength of the applied electric field, and the size of the capsule.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict addressing the display element to a blue state. As shown in FIG. 8A, the particles 52, 54, 56 are initially randomly dispersed in the capsule 20. All the particles 52, 54, 56 are attracted to one side of the capsule 20 by applying an electric field in one direction (shown in FIG. 8B). Referring to FIG. 8C, the electric field is reversed just long enough to allow the red particles 52 and blue particles 54 to migrate towards the electrode 32. The amount of time for which the applied electric field must be reversed can be determined from the relative electrophoretic mobilities of the particles, the strength of the applied electric field, and the size of the capsule. Referring to FIG. 8D, the electric field is then reversed a second time and the red particles 52, moving faster than the blue particles 54, leave the blue particles 54 exposed to the viewpoint 10. The amount of time for which the applied electric field must be reversed can be determined from the relative electrophoretic mobilities of the particles, the strength of the applied electric field, and the size of the capsule.

FIGS. 9A-9C depict the steps to be taken to present a green display to the viewpoint 10. As shown in FIG. 9A, the particles 52, 54, 56 are initially distributed randomly in the capsule 20. All the particles 52, 54, 56 are attracted to the side of the capsule 20 proximal the viewpoint 10 by applying an electric field in one direction. The electric field should be applied to the capsule 20 long enough to attract even the more slowly moving green particles 56 to the electrode 32. As shown in FIG. 9C, the electric field is reversed just long enough to allow the red particles 52 and the blue particles 54 to migrate towards the electrode 54, leaving the slowly-moving green particles 56 displayed to the viewpoint. The amount of time for which the applied electric field must be reversed can be determined from the relative electrophoretic mobilities of the particles, the strength of the applied electric field, and the size of the capsule.

In other embodiments, the capsule contains multiple species of particles and a dyed dispersing fluid that acts as one of the colors. In still other embodiments, more than three species of particles may be provided having additional colors. Although FIGS. 6-9C depict two electrodes associated with a single capsule, the electrodes may address multiple capsules or less than a full capsule

In FIG. 10, the rear substrate 100 for a seven segment display is shown that improves on normal rear electrode structures by providing a means for arbitrarily connecting to any electrode section on the rear of the display without the need for conductive trace lines on the surface of the patterned substrate or a patterned counter electrode on the front of the display. Small conductive vias through the substrate allow connections to the rear electrode structure. On the back of the substrate, these vias are connected to a network of conductors. This conductors can be run so as to provide a simple connection to the entire display. For example, segment 112 is connected by via 114 through the substrate 116 to conductor 118. A network of conductors may run multiple connections (not shown) to edge connector 122. This connector can be built into the structure of the conductor such as edge connector 122. Each segment of the rear electrode can be individually addressed easily through edge connector 122. A continuous top electrode can be used with the substrate 116.

The rear electrode structure depicted in FIG. 10 is useful for any display media, but is particularly advantageous for particle-based displays because such displays do not have a defined appearance when not addressed. The rear electrode should be completely covered in an electrically conducting material with room only to provide necessary insulation of the various electrodes. This is so that the connections on the rear of the display can be routed with out concern for affecting the appearance of the display. Having a mostly continuous rear electrode pattern assures that the display material is shielded from the rear electrode wire routing.

In FIG. 11, a 3×3 matrix is shown. Here, matrix segment 124 on a first side of substrate 116 is connected by via 114 to conductor 118 on a second side of substrate 116. The conductors 118 run to an edge and terminate in a edge connector 122. Although the display element of FIG. 11 shows square segments 124, the segments may be shaped or sized to form a predefined display pattern.

In FIG. 12, a printed circuit board 138 is used as the rear electrode structure. The front of the printed circuit board 138 has copper pads 132 etched in the desired shape. There are plated vias 114 connecting these electrode pads to an etched wire structure 136 on the rear of the printed circuit board 138. The wires 136 can be run to one side or the rear of the printed circuit board 138 and a connection can be made using a standard connector such as a surface mount connector or using a flex connector and anisotropic glue (not shown). Vias may be filled with a conductive substance, such as solder or conductive epoxy, or an insulating substance, such as epoxy.

Alternatively, a flex circuit such a copper-clad polyimide may be used for the rear electrode structure of FIG. 10. Printed circuit board 138 may be made of polyimide, which acts both as the flex connector and as the substrate for the electrode structure. Rather than copper pads 132, electrodes (not shown) may be etched into the copper covering the polyimide printed circuit board 138. The plated through vias 114 connect the electrodes etched onto the substrate the rear of the printed circuit board 138, which may have an etched conductor network thereon (the etched conductor network is similar to the etched wire structure 136).

In FIG. 13 a thin dielectric sheet 150, such as polyester, polyimide, or glass can be used to make a rear electrode structure. Holes 152 are punched, drilled, abraded, or melted through the sheet where conductive paths are desired. The front electrode 154 is made of conductive ink printed using any technique described above. The holes should be sized and the ink should be selected to have a viscosity so that the ink fills the holes. When the back structure 156 is printed, again using conductive ink, the holes are again filled. By this method, the connection between the front and back of the substrate is made automatically.

In FIG. 14, the rear electrode structure can be made entirely of printed layers. A conductive layer 166 can be printed onto the back of a display comprised of a clear, front electrode 168 and a printable display material 170. A clear electrode may be fabricated from indium tin oxide or conductive polymers such as polyanilines and polythiophenes. A dielectric coating 176 can be printed leaving areas for vias. Then, the back layer of conductive ink 178 can be printed. If necessary, an additional layer of conductive ink can be used before the final ink structure is printed to fill in the holes.

This technique for printing displays can be used to build the rear electrode structure on a display or to construct two separate layers that are laminated together to form the display. For example an electronically active ink may be printed on an indium tin oxide electrode. Separately, a rear electrode structure as described above can be printed on a suitable substrate, such as plastic, polymer films, or glass. The electrode structure and the display element can be laminated to form a display.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a threshold may be introduced into an electrophoretic display cell by the introduction of a third electrode. One side of the cell is a continuous, transparent electrode 200 (anode). On the other side of the cell, the transparent electrode is patterned into a set of isolated column electrode strips 210. An insulator 212 covers the column electrodes 210, and an electrode layer on top of the insulator is divided into a set of isolated row electrode strips 230, which are oriented orthogonal to the column electrodes 210. The row electrodes 230 are patterned into a dense array of holes, or a grid, beneath which the exposed insulator 212 has been removed, forming a multiplicity of physical and potential wells.

A positively charged particle 50 is loaded into the potential wells by applying a positive potential (e.g. 30V) to all the column electrodes 210 while keeping the row electrodes 230 at a less positive potential (e.g. 15V) and the anode 200 at zero volts. The particle 50 may be a conformable capsule that situates itself into the physical wells of the control grid. The control grid itself may have a rectangular cross-section, or the grid structure may be triangular in profile. It can also be a different shape which encourages the microcapsules to situate in the grid, for example, hemispherical.

The anode 200 is then reset to a positive potential (e.g. 50V). The particle will remain in the potential wells due to the potential difference in the potential wells: this is called the Hold condition. To address a display element the potential on the column electrode associated with that element is reduced, e.g. by a factor of two, and the potential on the row electrode associated with that element is made equal to or greater than the potential on the column electrode. The particles in this element will then be transported by the electric field due to the positive voltage on the anode 200. The potential difference between row and column electrodes for the remaining display elements is now less than half of that in the normal Hold condition.

The geometry of the potential well structure and voltage levels are chosen such that this also constitutes a Hold condition, i.e., no particles will leave these other display elements and hence there will be no half-select problems. This addressing method can select and write any desired element in a matrix without affecting the pigment in any other display element. A control electrode device can be operated such that the anode electrode side of the cell is viewed.

The control grid may be manufactured through any of the processes known in the art, or by several novel processes described herein. That is, according to traditional practices, the control grid may be constructed with one or more steps of photolithography and subsequent etching, or the control grid may be fabricated with a mask and a “sandblasting” technique.

In another embodiment, the control grid is fabricated by an embossing technique on a plastic substrate. The grid electrodes may be deposited by vacuum deposition or sputtering, either before or after the embossing step. In another embodiment, the electrodes are printed onto the grid structure after it is formed, the electrodes consisting of some kind of printable conductive material which need not be clear (e.g. a metal or carbon-doped polymer, an intrinsically conducting polymer, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment, the control grid is fabricated with a series of printing steps. The grid structure is built up in a series of one or more printed layers after the cathode has been deposited, and the grid electrode is printed onto the grid structure. There may be additional insulator on top of the grid electrode, and there may be multiple grid electrodes separated by insulator in the grid structure. The grid electrode may not occupy the entire width of the grid structure, and may only occupy a central region of the structure, in order to stay within reproducible tolerances. In another embodiment, the control grid is fabricated by photoetching away a glass, such as a photostructural glass.

In an encapsulated electrophoretic image display, an electrophoretic suspension, such as the ones described previously, is placed inside discrete compartments that are dispersed in a polymer matrix. This resulting material is highly susceptible to an electric field across the thickness of the film. Such a field is normally applied using electrodes attached to either side of the material. However, as described above in connection with FIGS. 3A-3D, some display media may be addressed by writing electrostatic charge onto one side of the display material. The other side normally has a clear or opaque electrode. For example, a sheet of encapsulated electrophoretic display media can be addressed with a head providing DC voltages.

In another implementation, the encapsulated electrophoretic suspension can be printed onto an area of a conductive material such as a printed silver or graphite ink, aluminized mylar, or any other conductive surface. This surface which constitutes one electrode of the display can be set at ground or high voltage. An electrostatic head consisting of many electrodes can be passed over the capsules to addressing them. Alternatively, a stylus can be used to address the encapsulated electrophoretic suspension.

In another implementation, an electrostatic write head is passed over the surface of the material. This allows very high resolution addressing. Since encapsulated electrophoretic material can be placed on plastic, it is flexible. This allows the material to be passed through normal paper handling equipment. Such a system works much like a photocopier, but with no consumables. The sheet of display material passes through the machine and an electrostatic or electrophotographic head addresses the sheet of material.

In another implementation, electrical charge is built up on the surface of the encapsulated display material or on a dielectric sheet through frictional or triboelectric charging. The charge can built up using an electrode that is later removed. In another implementation, charge is built up on the surface of the encapsulated display by using a sheet of piezoelectric material.

FIG. 16 shows an electrostatically written display. Stylus 300 is connected to a positive or negative voltage. The head of the stylus 300 can be insulated to protect the user. Dielectric layer 302 can be, for example, a dielectric coating or a film of polymer. In other embodiments, dielectric layer 302 is not provided and the stylus 300 contacts the encapsulated electrophoretic display 304 directly. Substrate 306 is coated with a clear conductive coating such as ITO coated polyester. The conductive coating is connected to ground. The display 304 may be viewed from either side.

Microencapsulated displays offer a useful means of creating electronic displays, many of which can be coated or printed. There are many versions of microencapsulated displays, including microencapsulated electrophoretic displays. These displays can be made to be highly reflective, bistable, and low power.

To obtain high resolution displays, it is useful to use some external addressing means with the microencapsulated material. This invention describes useful combinations of addressing means with microencapsulated electrophoretic materials in order to obtain high resolution displays.

One method of addressing liquid crystal displays is the use of silicon-based thin film transistors to form an addressing backplane for the liquid crystal. For liquid crystal displays, these thin film transistors are typically deposited on glass, and are typically made from amorphous silicon or polysilicon. Other electronic circuits (such as drive electronics or logic) are sometimes integrated into the periphery of the display. An emerging field is the deposition of amorphous or polysilicon devices onto flexible substrates such as metal foils or plastic films.

The addressing electronic backplane could incorporate diodes as the nonlinear element, rather than transistors. Diode-based active matrix arrays have been demonstrated as being compatible with liquid crystal displays to form high resolution devices.

There are also examples of crystalline silicon transistors being used on glass substrates. Crystalline silicon possesses very high mobilities, and thus can be used to make high performance devices. Presently, the most straightforward way of constructing crystalline silicon devices is on a silicon wafer. For use in many types of liquid crystal displays, the crystalline silicon circuit is constructed on a silicon wafer, and then transferred to a glass substrate by a “liftoff” process. Alternatively, the silicon transistors can be formed on a silicon wafer, removed via a liftoff process, and then deposited on a flexible substrate such as plastic, metal foil, or paper. As another implementation, the silicon could be formed on a different substrate that is able to tolerate high temperatures (such as glass or metal foils), lifted off, and transferred to a flexible substrate. As yet another implementation, the silicon transistors are formed on a silicon wafer, which is then used in whole or in part as one of the substrates for the display.

The use of silicon-based circuits with liquid crystals is the basis of a large industry. Nevertheless, these display possess serious drawbacks. Liquid crystal displays are inefficient with light, so that most liquid crystal displays require some sort of backlighting. Reflective liquid crystal displays can be constructed, but are typically very dim, due to the presence of polarizers. Most liquid crystal devices require precise spacing of the cell gap, so that they are not very compatible with flexible substrates. Most liquid crystal displays require a “rubbing” process to align the liquid crystals, which is both difficult to control and has the potential for damaging the TFT array.

The combination of these thin film transistors with microencapsulated electrophoretic displays should be even more advantageous than with liquid crystal displays. Thin film transistor arrays similar to those used with liquid crystals could also be used with the microencapsulated display medium. As noted above, liquid crystal arrays typically requires a “rubbing” process to align the liquid crystals, which can cause either mechanical or static electrical damage to the transistor array. No such rubbing is needed for microencapsulated displays, improving yields and simplifying the construction process.

Microencapsulated electrophoretic displays can be highly reflective. This provides an advantage in high-resolution displays, as a backlight is not required for good visibility. Also, a high-resolution display can be built on opaque substrates, which opens up a range of new materials for the deposition of thin film transistor arrays.

Moreover, the encapsulated electrophoretic display is highly compatible with flexible substrates. This enables high-resolution TFT displays in which the transistors are deposited on flexible substrates like flexible glass, plastics, or metal foils. The flexible substrate used with any type of thin film transistor or other nonlinear element need not be a single sheet of glass, plastic, metal foil, though. Instead, it could be constructed of paper. Alternatively, it could be constructed of a woven material. Alternatively, it could be a composite or layered combination of these materials.

As in liquid crystal displays, external logic or drive circuitry can be built on the same substrate as the thin film transistor switches.

In another implementation, the addressing electronic backplane could incorporate diodes as the nonlinear element, rather than transistors.

In another implementation, it is possible to form transistors on a silicon wafer, dice the transistors, and place them in a large area array to form a large, TFT-addressed display medium. One example of this concept is to form mechanical impressions in the receiving substrate, and then cover the substrate with a slurry or other form of the transistors. With agitation, the transistors will fall into the impressions, where they can be bonded and incorporated into the device circuitry. The receiving substrate could be glass, plastic, or other nonconductive material. In this way, the economy of creating transistors using standard processing methods can be used to create large-area displays without the need for large area silicon processing equipment.

While the examples described here are listed using encapsulated electrophoretic displays, there are other particle-based display media which should also work as well, including encapsulated suspended particles and rotating ball displays.

Now referring to FIGS. 17-20, some display media include portions or components that do not contribute to the changing appearance of images displayed during operation of a display device. In particular, portions of a displayed image can have a fixed optical appearance. This effect can be described with reference to an illustrative display medium depicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electrophoretic display medium 400. The medium 400 includes electrophoretic material 410, for example, the above-described electrophoretic phase, and binder 420. The electrophoretic material may be directly encapsulated within voids in the binder 420 or reside within capsule membranes embedded in the binder 420.

The electrophoretic material 410 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17A includes a suspending fluid and at least one electrophoretic particle. The suspending fluid has an optical property, and may be clear or dyed. The one or more particles may have an optical property that is different from that of the suspending fluid. The particles may include more than one type of particle. Different particle types may have different optical properties, different electrophoretic responses, and may be included in the same or different capsules. Further details regarding electrophoretic display materials are described at the end this Detailed Description of the Invention.

FIG. 17B is a planar, two-dimensional projected view of the embodiment of the display medium 400, corresponding to FIG. 17A. As illustrated by FIG. 17B, a portion of the display surface has a fixed optical appearance, as seen by a user of the display. This portion of the display corresponds to regions that include only binder 420 in the viewed two-dimensional projection of the electrophoretic display medium 400. In contrast, viewed portions of the display that include electrophoretic material 410 can produce changing optical characteristics, for example, changing colors or reflectance. The display can thus present images to a user, though the images include a fixed portion, i.e., a fixed background.

More generally, binder, capsule membranes and other materials with a fixed optical state, and which extend through the viewed thickness of a display medium, may contribute to a fixed portion of an image presented by a display. The fixed optical state portion of the display typically dilutes the image quality produced by the variable optical state portion.

The optically fixed portions of a display may be transparent, translucent or opaque. The fixed portions may have an optical property that is predetermined, that is, selected during design or manufacturing of the display. The characteristic may be modified by, for example, changing a characteristic of the optically fixed components of a display or adding additional structures, such as additional layers, to the display structure. The predetermined property may be, for example, a reflectance, a transmittance, a brightness or a color.

The optically fixed components of a display that can be selected to have a particular characteristic are any of the components that can be observed, at least in part, by a viewer of the display. These include, for example, a top (light transmitting) electrode, a binder material, or a bottom electrode seen through the binder. The materials from which these structures are formed can be selected for its optical properties. Alternatively, materials, for example, in atomic, molecular or particulate form, may be added to a structure to modify its optical properties.

Added structures can include, for example, a layer positioned at various levels of a display element sandwich. In the following description, various added structures, materials added to existing structures, or modified existing structures, are referred to as “optical biasing elements”. These materials and structures may also be referred to as “background” components because they contribute to the optically fixed portion of a display.

If the fixed portion of a display is not completely black, the fixed portion will limit the degree of black (i.e. the dark state) that the display can present. If the fixed portion is not completely white, the degree of white will be limited. Thus, the contrast range of the display may also be limited by the fixed portion.

Typically, the reflectance and contrast ratio of a display are the optical properties of most interest. For example, the white reflectance is a ratio of the white state of the display to a white state of a standard, the standard representing 100% reflectance. The contrast ratio is generally defined as the ratio of the white reflectance to the dark reflectance. These properties control the visibility and legibility of a display. Though ideal values of the optical characteristics vary for different applications, one generally prefers a white reflectance and a contrast ratio that are as high as possible.

When designing an electrophoretic display element, one can make tradeoffs in the selection of optical characteristics. For example, increases in the dye concentration of a fluid, in a suspending fluid and particle-based electrophoretic material, can serve to reduce both the white and dark reflectance of the variable portions of a display. An increase in the particle concentration in such an electrophoretic material can increase both the white and dark reflectances. Optical properties can also be changed by changing the thickness of the electrophoretic display medium 400, for example, by reducing the capsule size.

The white reflectance, dark reflectance and contrast ratio of a display can be estimated with the below equations. The white reflectance of a display may be
RW=(RMC−W)(AS)+(RBKGND)(1−AS) Eq. 1
The dark/black relectance as:
RD=(RMC−W)(AS)+(RBKGND)(1−AS) Eq. 2
The contrast ratio as:

CR=RWRD=(RMC-W)(AS)+(RBKGND)(1-AS)(RMC-D)(AS)+(RBKGND)(1-AS)Eq.3
which may be expressed as:

CR=RWRD=(RMC-W)+(RBKGND)(1-AS)/(AS)(RMC-D)+(RBKGND)(1-AS)/(AS)Eq.3′
where: RW is the reflectance (in percent) of a display having a white appearance, as a percentage of the reflectance of a standard white material that is taken as having 100% reflectance;

RD is the reflectance (in percent) of a display having a black appearance, as a percentage of the reflectance of a standard white material that is taken as having 100% reflectance;

RMC−W is the reflectance (in percent) of a unit area of capsules having a white appearance, as a percentage of the reflectance of a standard white material that is taken as having 100% reflectance;

RMC−D is the reflectance (in percent) of a unit area of capsules having a black appearance, as a percentage of the reflectance of a standard white material that is taken as having 100% reflectance;

RBKGND is the reflectance (in percent) of a unit area of the background of the display, as a percentage of the reflectance of a standard white material that is taken as having 100% reflectance;

ASWITCHABLE or AS is the area, as a percentage of the total surface area of the display, of the portion of a display that can be set to display a first optical property or a second optical property, for example white and black. Hence, the value (1−ASWITCHABLE) or (1−AS) denotes the percentage of the total area of the display that cannot be changed in appearance, i.e., the fixed viewable portion of the display; and

CR is the contrast ratio, or RW/RD.

Equation 3′, for example, illustrates the effect on the contrast ratio of changes in the various reflectances when the area of the capsules as a percentage of the total display area, or equivalently, the ratio (1−AS)/(AS), is held constant. One can also note the effect on the contrast ratio of changes in the area of the capsules as a percentage of the total display area when the various reflectances are held constant.

If, for example, AS, RMC−W and RMC−D are held constant, with RMC−W>RMC−D, an increase in RBKGND will decrease the contrast ratio CR, while a decrease in RBKGND will increase CR. This result is obtained because the addition of a fixed amount of reflectance through an increase in RBKGND is a smaller increase proportionately to the larger quantity RMC−W than it is to the smaller quantity RMC−D. Increasing RBKGND, however, will increase the overall reflectance of either display state, causing the display to appear brighter, with a smaller contrast ratio. Conversely, a decrease of RBKGND will cause the display to appear darker, with greater contrast ratio.

Alternatively, the total reflectance, as well as the spectral distribution of the reflectance, of the background may be changed, for example, by changing the color or tone of the background. This would alter the appearance of the display with regard to one or more of the brightness, the contrast and the color or tone of the various display states. The illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 17a and 17b has been presented with regard to a display that comprises capsules that offer only a black appearance and a white appearance. As described elsewhere in this Detailed Description, other embodiments, such as displays having capsules comprising multiple colored particles, colored suspending fluids and colored electrodes can be provided according to the principles of the invention. The use of a biasing element as described herein with such other embodiments can affect many of the optical properties of such displays.

The above-shown model equations illustrate the potential to control the optical characteristics of a display by selecting the optical characteristics of an optically fixed portion of the display. An optical biasing element can be added to, for example, an electrophoretic display element to achieve this control of the fixed portion of the display element. An optical biasing element can include various materials, and have various locations in the display element structure, as illustrated in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 18-20.

Various embodiments of a display element that include an optical biasing layer are described with reference to FIGS. 18a, 18b and 18c. FIG. 18a is a cross-sectional view of a display element 500A that includes a top substrate 462 and a bottom substrate 461. The bottom substrate 461 may include, for example, a rigid layer, such as glass, or a flexible sheet, such as polyimide. The bottom substrate 461 may be part of an electrical backplane of a display.

The display element 500A includes an electrophoretic display medium 400, which includes electrophoretic material 410 and binder 420. The electrophoretic material may be directly encapsulated within voids in the binder 420 or reside within capsule membranes embedded in the binder 420. The display element 500A also includes, and is addressed via, a top electrode 440 and a bottom electrode 430. The top electrode and the top substrate are light transmissive to permit observation of the electrophoretic display medium 400.

The display element 500A includes an optical biasing element 450, located between the electrophoretic display medium 400 and the bottom electrode 430. In the present embodiment, the optical biasing element 450 is a sheet or layer of material that is selected for its optical characteristics, as described above.

The optical biasing element 450 may be fabricated, for example, by depositing, coating, printing or laminating material adjacent to the bottom electrode or the bottom substrate. A biasing element may include a thermoplastic sheet or an adhesive layer that may help to laminate layers of a display element.

As illustrated in FIG. 18b, a display element 500B includes an optical biasing element 450 that is located between the bottom substrate 461 and the bottom electrode 430. As illustrated in FIG. 18c, a display element 500C includes an optical biasing element 450 located between the top substrate 462 and the electrophoretic display medium 400.

Other embodiments include an optical biasing element at other locations, with the requirement that at least a portion of the optical biasing element be viewable by an observer of the display. Further, the optical biasing element should be sufficiently transmissive to light to permit viewing of the electrophoretic material, if the optical biasing element overlays the electrophoretic material. If the biasing element lies beneath the electrophoretic display medium 400, the element may be transmissive or opaque.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, other embodiments incorporate an optical biasing element within other display element components, rather than as a separate layer or other distinctly separate structure. FIGS. 19a and 19b are cross-sectional views of embodiments that incorporate, or embed, an optical biasing element in a binder material.

FIG. 19a illustrates an embodiment of a display element 500D with an electrophoretic display medium layer that includes binder 420. Embedded in the binder is an optical biasing element that includes particles 451. During manufacturing, for example, particles 451 may be added to a binder in its liquid state, prior to mixing with an encapsulated electrophoretic material.

The particles 451 are selected for their optical properties. The particles 451 may include, for example, carbon black or pigment. The pigment may be, for example, white pigments such as titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and barium titanate. The particles may include one or more metals, for example, noble metals such as silver, gold and palladium.

FIG. 19b illustrates an embodiment of a display element 500E with an electrophoretic display medium layer that includes an optically modified binder 425. Embedded in the binder is an optical biasing element that includes atoms or molecules. The optical biasing element is selected for its ability to modify an optical characteristic of the binder.

FIGS. 20a and 20b illustrate embodiments in which an optical biasing element is incorporated into an electrode layer. FIG. 20a is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display element 500F that includes a bottom electrode 430. An optical biasing element is embedded in the bottom electrode 430. The optical biasing element includes particles 451A that are selected for an optical characteristic.

The particles may include, for example, pigment particles such as titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and barium titanate particles. The particles may be incorporated into an electrode formed from a polymeric material. For example, carbon-containing particles may be incorporated in a polymeric carrier to produce a black appearing electrode.

FIG. 20b is a cross section of an embodiment of a display element 500G. A molecular, or atomic optical biasing element is incorporated into a bottom electrode to provide an optically modified electrode 435.

In other embodiments, an optical biasing element is coated on top of an electrode. For example, metallic particles such as silver, gold or palladium may be coated on the electrode. Alternatively, an electrode material may be selected to provide both necessary conductivity for the electrode and to provide an optical characteristic. Thus, the electrode may be both an electrode and an optical biasing element. Similarly, other components of a display element may be formed of materials to enable such a dual function.

The following potion of the Detailed Description describes various embodiments of materials that may be included in an electrophoretic display medium.

Useful materials for constructing an electrophoretic display medium, in particular for use in encapsulated electrophoretic displays, are discussed in detail below. The discussion is organized into five topics: particles; suspending fluid; charge control agents and particle stabilizers; encapsulation; and binder.

A. Particles

There is much flexibility in the choice of particles for use in electrophoretic displays, as described above. For purposes of this invention, a particle is any component that is charged or capable of acquiring a charge (i.e., has or is capable of acquiring electrophoretic mobility), and, in some cases, this mobility may be zero or close to zero (i.e., the particles will not move). The particles may be neat pigments, dyed (laked) pigments or pigment/polymer composites, or any other component that is charged or capable of acquiring a charge. Typical considerations for the electrophoretic particle are its optical properties, electrical properties, and surface chemistry. The particles may be organic or inorganic compounds, and they may either absorb light or scatter light. The particles for use in the invention may further include scattering pigments, absorbing pigments and luminescent particles. The particles may be retroreflective, such as corner cubes, or they may be electroluminescent, such as zinc sulfide particles, which emit light when excited by an AC field, or they may be photoluminescent. Finally, the particles may be surface treated so as to improve charging or interaction with a charging agent, or to improve dispersibility.

A preferred particle for use in electrophoretic displays of the invention is Titania. The titania particles may be coated with a metal oxide, such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide, for example. The titania particles may have one, two, or more layers of metal-oxide coating. For example, a titania particle for use in electrophoretic displays of the invention may have a coating of aluminum oxide and a coating of silicon oxide. The coatings may be added to the particle in any order.

The electrophoretic particle is usually a pigment, a polymer, a laked pigment, or some combination of the above. A neat pigment can be any pigment, and, usually for a light colored particle, pigments such as, for example, rutile (titania), anatase (titania), barium sulfate, kaolin, or zinc oxide are useful. Some typical particles have high refractive indices, high scattering coefficients, and low absorption coefficients. Other particles are absorptive, such as carbon black or colored pigments used in paints and inks. The pigment should also be insoluble in the suspending fluid. Yellow pigments such as diarylide yellow, hansa yellow, and benzidin yellow have also found use in similar displays. Any other reflective material can be employed for a light colored particle, including non-pigment materials, such as metallic particles.

Particles may also include laked, or dyed, pigments. Laked pigments are particles that have a dye precipitated on them or which are stained. Lakes are metal salts of readily soluble anionic dyes. These are dyes of azo, triphenylmethane or anthraquinone structure containing one or more sulphonic or carboxylic acid groupings. They are usually precipitated by a calcium, barium or aluminum salt onto a substrate. Typical examples are peacock blue lake (CI Pigment Blue 24) and Persian orange (lake of CI Acid Orange 7), Black M Toner (GAF) (a mixture of carbon black and black dye precipitated on a lake).

A dark particle of the dyed type may be constructed from any light absorbing material, such as carbon black, or inorganic black materials. The dark material may also be selectively absorbing. For example, a dark green pigment may be used. Black particles may also be formed by staining latices with metal oxides, such latex copolymers consisting of any of butadiene, styrene, isoprene, methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid, sodium styrene sulfonate, vinyl acetate, chlorostyrene, dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide, isocyanoethyl methacrylate and N-(isobutoxymethacrylamide), and optionally including conjugated diene compounds such as diacrylate, triacrylate, dimethylacrylate and trimethacrylate. Black particles may also be formed by a dispersion polymerization technique.

In the systems containing pigments and polymers, the pigments and polymers may form multiple domains within the electrophoretic particle, or be aggregates of smaller pigment/polymer combined particles. Alternatively, a central pigment core may be surrounded by a polymer shell. The pigment, polymer, or both can contain a dye. The optical purpose of the particle may be to scatter light, absorb light, or both. Useful sizes may range from 1 nm up to about 100 μm, as long as the particles are smaller than the bounding capsule. In a preferred embodiment, the density of the electrophoretic particle may be substantially matched to that of the suspending (i.e., electrophoretic) fluid. As defined herein, a suspending fluid has a density that is “substantially matched” to the density of the particle if the difference in their respective densities is between about zero and about two g/ml. This difference is preferably between about zero and about 0.5 g/ml.

The pigment-polymer composite may be formed by a physical process, (e.g., attrition or ball milling), a chemical process (e.g., microencapsulation or dispersion polymerization), or any other process known in the art of particle production. From the following non-limiting examples, it may be seen that the processes and materials for both the fabrication of particles and the charging thereof are generally derived from the art of liquid toner, or liquid immersion development. Thus any of the known processes from liquid development are particularly, but not exclusively, relevant.

New and useful electrophoretic particles may still be discovered, but a number of particles already known to those skilled in the art of electrophoretic displays and liquid toners can also prove useful. In general, the polymer requirements for liquid toners and encapsulated electrophoretic inks are similar, in that the pigment or dye must be easily incorporated therein, either by a physical, chemical, or physicochemical process, may aid in the colloidal stability, and may contain charging sites or may be able to incorporate materials which contain charging sites. One general requirement from the liquid toner industry that is not shared by encapsulated electrophoretic inks is that the toner must be capable of “fixing” the image, i.e., heat fusing together to create a uniform film after the deposition of the toner particles.

Typical manufacturing techniques for particles are drawn from the liquid toner and other arts and include ball milling, attrition, jet milling, etc. The process will be illustrated for the case of a pigmented polymeric particle. In such a case the pigment is compounded in the polymer, usually in some kind of high shear mechanism such as a screw extruder. The composite material is then (wet or dry) ground to a starting size of around 10 μm. It is then dispersed in a carrier liquid, for example ISOPAR® (Exxon, Houston, Tex.), optionally with some charge control agent(s), and milled under high shear for several hours down to a final particle size and/or size distribution.

Another manufacturing technique for particles drawn from the liquid toner field is to add the polymer, pigment, and suspending fluid to a media mill. The mill is started and simultaneously heated to temperature at which the polymer swells substantially with the solvent. This temperature is typically near 100° C. In this state, the pigment is easily encapsulated into the swollen polymer. After a suitable time, typically a few hours, the mill is gradually cooled back to ambient temperature while stirring. The milling may be continued for some time to achieve a small enough particle size, typically a few micrometers in diameter. The charging agents may be added at this time. Optionally, more suspending fluid may be added.

Chemical processes such as dispersion polymerization, mini- or micro-emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization precipitation, phase separation, solvent evaporation, in situ polymerization, seeded emulsion polymerization, or any process which falls under the general category of microencapsulation may be used. A typical process of this type is a phase separation process wherein a dissolved polymeric material is precipitated out of solution onto a dispersed pigment surface through solvent dilution, evaporation, or a thermal change. Other processes include chemical means for staining polymeric lattices, for example with metal oxides or dyes.

B. Suspending Fluid

The suspending fluid containing the particles can be chosen based on properties such as density, refractive index, and solubility. A preferred suspending fluid has a low dielectric constant (about 2), high volume resistivity (about 10^15 ohm-cm), low viscosity (less than 5 cst), low toxicity and environmental impact, low water solubility (less than 10 ppm), high specific gravity (greater than 1.5), a high boiling point (greater than 90° C.), and a low refractive index (less than 1.2).

The choice of suspending fluid may be based on concerns of chemical inertness, density matching to the electrophoretic particle, or chemical compatibility with both the electrophoretic particle and bounding capsule. The viscosity of the fluid should be low when you want the particles to move. The refractive index of the suspending fluid may also be substantially matched to that of the particles. As used herein, the refractive index of a suspending fluid “is substantially matched” to that of a particle if the difference between their respective refractive indices is between about zero and about 0.3, and is preferably between about 0.05 and about 0.2.

Additionally, the fluid may be chosen to be a poor solvent for some polymers, which is advantageous for use in the fabrication of microparticles because it increases the range of polymeric materials useful in fabricating particles of polymers and pigments. Organic solvents, such as halogenated organic solvents, saturated linear or branched hydrocarbons, silicone oils, and low molecular weight halogen-containing polymers are some useful suspending fluids. The suspending fluid may comprise a single fluid. The fluid will, however, often be a blend of more than one fluid in order to tune its chemical and physical properties. Furthermore, the fluid may contain surface modifiers to modify the surface energy or charge of the electrophoretic particle or bounding capsule. Reactants or solvents for the microencapsulation process (oil soluble monomers, for example) can also be contained in the suspending fluid. Charge control agents can also be added to the suspending fluid.

Useful organic solvents include, but are not limited to, epoxides, such as, for example, decane epoxide and dodecane epoxide; vinyl ethers, such as, for example, cyclohexyl vinyl ether and Decave® (International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., New York, N.Y.); and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as, for example, toluene and naphthalene. Useful halogenated organic solvents include, but are not limited to, tetrafluorodibromoethylene, tetrachloroethylene, trifluorochloroethylene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride. These materials have high densities. Useful hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, dodecane, tetradecane, the aliphatic hydrocarbons in the Isopar® series (Exxon, Houston, Tex.), Norpar® (series of normal paraffinic liquids), Shell-Sol® (Shell, Houston, Tex.), and Sol-Trol® (Shell), naphtha, and other petroleum solvents. These materials usually have low densities. Useful examples of silicone oils include, but are not limited to, octamethyl cyclosiloxane and higher molecular weight cyclic siloxanes, poly (methyl phenyl siloxane), hexamethyldisiloxane, and polydimethylsiloxane. These materials usually have low densities. Useful low molecular weight halogen-containing polymers include, but are not limited to, poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) polymer (Halogenated hydrocarbon Inc., River Edge, N.J.), Galden® (a perfluorinated ether from Ausimont, Morristown, N.J.), or Krytox from DuPont (Wilmington, Del.). In a preferred embodiment, the suspending fluid is a poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) polymer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this polymer has a degree of polymerization from about 2 to about 10. Many of the above materials are available in a range of viscosities, densities, and boiling points.

The fluid must be capable of being formed into small droplets prior to a capsule being formed. Processes for forming small droplets include flow-through jets, membranes, nozzles, or orifices, as well as shear-based emulsifying schemes. The formation of small drops may be assisted by electrical or sonic fields. Surfactants and polymers can be used to aid in the stabilization and emulsification of the droplets in the case of an emulsion type encapsulation. A preferred surfactant for use in displays of the invention is sodium dodecylsulfate.

It can be advantageous in some displays for the suspending fluid to contain an optically absorbing dye. This dye must be soluble in the fluid, but will generally be insoluble in the other components of the capsule. There is much flexibility in the choice of dye material. The dye can be a pure compound, or blends of dyes to achieve a particular color, including black. The dyes can be fluorescent, which would produce a display in which the fluorescence properties depend on the position of the particles. The dyes can be photoactive, changing to another color or becoming colorless upon irradiation with either visible or ultraviolet light, providing another means for obtaining an optical response. Dyes could also be polymerizable, forming a solid absorbing polymer inside the bounding shell.

There are many dyes that can be chosen for use in encapsulated electrophoretic display. Properties important here include light fastness, solubility in the suspending liquid, color, and cost. These are generally from the class of azo, anthraquinone, and triphenylmethane type dyes and may be chemically modified so as to increase the solubility in the oil phase and reduce the adsorption by the particle surface.

A number of dyes already known to those skilled in the art of electrophoretic displays will prove useful. Useful azo dyes include, but are not limited to: the Oil Red dyes, and the Sudan Red and Sudan Black series of dyes. Useful anthraquinone dyes include, but are not limited to: the Oil Blue dyes, and the Macrolex Blue series of dyes. Useful triphenylmethane dyes include, but are not limited to, Michler's hydrol, Malachite Green, Crystal Violet, and Auramine O.

C. Charge Control Agents and Particle Stabilizers

Charge control agents are used to provide good electrophoretic mobility to the electrophoretic particles. Stabilizers are used to prevent agglomeration of the electrophoretic particles, as well as prevent the electrophoretic particles from irreversibly depositing onto the capsule wall. Either component can be constructed from materials across a wide range of molecular weights (low molecular weight, oligomeric, or polymeric), and may be pure or a mixture. In particular, suitable charge control agents are generally adapted from the liquid toner art. The charge control agent used to modify and/or stabilize the particle surface charge is applied as generally known in the arts of liquid toners, electrophoretic displays, non-aqueous paint dispersions, and engine-oil additives. In all of these arts, charging species may be added to non-aqueous media in order to increase electrophoretic mobility or increase electrostatic stabilization. The materials can improve steric stabilization as well. Different theories of charging are postulated, including selective ion adsorption, proton transfer, and contact electrification.

An optional charge control agent or charge director may be used. These constituents typically consist of low molecular weight surfactants, polymeric agents, or blends of one or more components and serve to stabilize or otherwise modify the sign and/or magnitude of the charge on the electrophoretic particles. The charging properties of the pigment itself may be accounted for by taking into account the acidic or basic surface properties of the pigment, or the charging sites may take place on the carrier resin surface (if present), or a combination of the two. Additional pigment properties which may be relevant are the particle size distribution, the chemical composition, and the lightfastness. The charge control agent used to modify and/or stabilize the particle surface charge is applied as generally known in the arts of liquid toners, electrophoretic displays, non-aqueous paint dispersions, and engine-oil additives. In all of these arts, charging species may be added to non-aqueous media in order to increase electrophoretic mobility or increase electrostatic stabilization. The materials can improve steric stabilization as well. Different theories of charging are postulated, including selective ion adsorption, proton transfer, and contact electrification.

Charge adjuvants may also be added. These materials increase the effectiveness of the charge control agents or charge directors. The charge adjuvant may be a polyhydroxy compound or an aminoalcohol compound, which are preferably soluble in the suspending fluid in an amount of at least 2% by weight. Examples of polyhydroxy compounds which contain at least two hydroxyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-decyne-4,7-diol, poly(propylene glycol), pentaethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, glycerol tris(12-hydroxystearate), propylene glycerol monohydroxystearate, and ethylene glycol monohydroxystrearate. Examples of aminoalcohol compounds which contain at least one alcohol function and one amine function in the same molecule include, but are not limited to, triisopropanolamine, triethanolamine, ethanolamine, 3-amino-1-propanol, o-aminophenol, 5-amino-1-pentanol, and tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylene-diamine. The charge adjuvant is preferably present in the suspending fluid in an amount of about 1 to about 100 mg/g of the particle mass, and more preferably about 50 to about 200 mg/g.

The surface of the particle may also be chemically modified to aid dispersion, to improve surface charge, and to improve the stability of the dispersion, for example. Surface modifiers include organic siloxanes, organohalogen silanes and other functional silane coupling agents (Dow Corning® Z-6070, Z-6124, and 3 additive, Midland, Mich.); organic titanates and zirconates (Tyzor® TOT, TBT, and TE Series, DuPont, Wilmington, Del.); hydrophobing agents, such as long chain (C12 to C50) alkyl and alkyl benzene sulphonic acids, fatty amines or diamines and their salts or quaternary derivatives; and amphipathic polymers which can be covalently bonded to the particle surface.

In general, it is believed that charging results as an acid-base reaction between some moiety present in the continuous phase and the particle surface. Thus useful materials are those which are capable of participating in such a reaction, or any other charging reaction as known in the art.

Particle dispersion stabilizers may be added to prevent particle flocculation or attachment to the capsule walls. For the typical high resistivity liquids used as suspending fluids in electrophoretic displays, nonaqueous surfactants may be used. These include, but are not limited to, glycol ethers, acetylenic glycols, alkanolamides, sorbitol derivatives, alkyl amines, quaternary amines, imidazolines, dialkyl oxides, and sulfosuccinates.

D. Encapsulation

There is a long and rich history to encapsulation, with numerous processes and polymers having proven useful in creating capsules. Encapsulation of the internal phase may be accomplished in a number of different ways. Numerous suitable procedures for microencapsulation are detailed in both Microencapsulation, Processes and Applications, (I. E. Vandegaer, ed.), Plenum Press, New York, N.Y. (1974) and Gutcho, Microcapsules and Mircroencapsulation Techniques, Nuyes Data Corp., Park Ridge, N.J. (1976). The processes fall into several general categories, all of which can be applied to the present invention: interfacial polymerization, in situ polymerization, physical processes, such as coextrusion and other phase separation processes, in-liquid curing, and simple/complex coacervation.

Capsules produced may be dispersed into a curable carrier, resulting in an ink which may be printed or coated on large and arbitrarily shaped or curved surfaces using conventional printing and coating techniques.

In the context of the present invention, one skilled in the art will select an encapsulation procedure and wall material based on the desired capsule properties. These properties include the distribution of capsule radii; electrical, mechanical, diffusion, and optical properties of the capsule wall; and chemical compatibility with the internal phase of the capsule.

The capsule wall generally has a high electrical resistivity. Although it is possible to use walls with relatively low resistivities, this may limit performance in requiring relatively higher addressing voltages. The capsule wall should also be mechanically strong (although if the finished capsule powder is to be dispersed in a curable polymeric binder for coating, mechanical strength is not as critical). The capsule wall should generally not be porous. If, however, it is desired to use an encapsulation procedure that produces porous capsules, these can be overcoated in a post-processing step (i.e., a second encapsulation). Moreover, if the capsules are to be dispersed in a curable binder, the binder will serve to close the pores. The capsule walls should be optically clear. The wall material may, however, be chosen to match the refractive index of the internal phase of the capsule (i.e., the suspending fluid) or a binder in which the capsules are to be dispersed. For some applications (e.g., interposition between two fixed electrodes), monodispersed capsule radii are desirable.

An encapsulation procedure involves a polymerization between urea and formaldehyde in an aqueous phase of an oil/water emulsion in the presence of a negatively charged, carboxyl-substituted, linear hydrocarbon polyelectrolyte material. The resulting capsule wall is a urea/formaldehyde copolymer, which discretely encloses the internal phase. The capsule is clear, mechanically strong, and has good resistivity properties.

The related technique of in situ polymerization utilizes an oil/water emulsion, which is formed by dispersing the electrophoretic composition (i.e., the dielectric liquid containing a suspension of the pigment particles) in an aqueous environment. The monomers polymerize to form a polymer with higher affinity for the internal phase than for the aqueous phase, thus condensing around the emulsified oily droplets. In one especially useful in situ polymerization processes, urea and formaldehyde condense in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,140). In other useful process, any of a variety of cross-linking agents borne in aqueous solution is deposited around microscopic oil droplets. Such cross-linking agents include aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, glyoxal, or glutaraldehyde; alum; zirconium salts; and poly isocyanates. The entire disclosures of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,001,140 and 4,273,672 patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The coacervation approach also utilizes an oil/water emulsion. One or more colloids are coacervated (i.e., agglomerated) out of the aqueous phase and deposited as shells around the oily droplets through control of temperature, pH and/or relative concentrations, thereby creating the microcapsule. Materials suitable for coacervation include gelatins and gum arabic.

The interfacial polymerization approach relies on the presence of an oil-soluble monomer in the electrophoretic composition, which once again is present as an emulsion in an aqueous phase. The monomers in the minute hydrophobic droplets react with a monomer introduced into the aqueous phase, polymerizing at the interface between the droplets and the surrounding aqueous medium and forming shells around the droplets. Although the resulting walls are relatively thin and may be permeable, this process does not require the elevated temperatures characteristic of some other processes, and therefore affords greater flexibility in terms of choosing the dielectric liquid.

Coating aids can be used to improve the uniformity and quality of the coated or printed electrophoretic ink material. Wetting agents are typically added to adjust the interfacial tension at the coating/substrate interface and to adjust the liquid/air surface tension. Wetting agents include, but are not limited to, anionic and cationic surfactants, and nonionic species, such as silicone or fluoropolymer based materials. Dispersing agents may be used to modify the interfacial tension between the capsules and binder, providing control over flocculation and particle settling.

Surface tension modifiers can be added to adjust the air/ink interfacial tension. Polysiloxanes are typically used in such an application to improve surface leveling while minimizing other defects within the coating. Surface tension modifiers include, but are not limited to, fluorinated surfactants, such as, for example, the Zonyl® series from DuPont (Wilmington, Del.), the Fluorod® series from 3M (St. Paul, Minn.), and the fluoroakyl series from Autochem (Glen Rock, N.J.); siloxanes, such as, for example, Silwet® from Union Carbide (Danbury, Conn.); and polyethoxy and polypropoxy alcohols. Antifoams, such as silicone and silicone-free polymeric materials, may be added to enhance the movement of air from within the ink to the surface and to facilitate the rupture of bubbles at the coating surface. Other useful antifoams include, but are not limited to, glyceryl esters, polyhydric alcohols, compounded antifoams, such as oil solutions of alkyl benzenes, natural fats, fatty acids, and metallic soaps, and silicone antifoaming agents made from the combination of dimethyl siloxane polymers and silica. Stabilizers such as uv-absorbers and antioxidants may also be added to improve the lifetime of the ink.

Other additives to control properties like coating viscosity and foaming can also be used in the coating fluid. Stabilizers (UV-absorbers, antioxidants) and other additives which could prove useful in practical materials.

E. Binder Material

The binder is used as a non-conducting, adhesive medium supporting and protecting the capsules, as well as binding the electrode materials to the capsule dispersion. Binders are available in many forms and chemical types. Among these are water-soluble polymers, water-borne polymers, oil-soluble polymers, thermoset and thermoplastic polymers, and radiation-cured polymers.

Among the water-soluble polymers are the various polysaccharides, the polyvinyl alcohols, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpyrrollidone, the various Carbowax® species (Union Carbide, Danbury, Conn.), and poly-2-hydroxyethylacrylate.

The water-dispersed or water-borne systems are generally latex compositions, typified by the Neorez® and Neocryl® resins (Zeneca Resins, Wilmington, Mass.), Acrysol® (Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.), Bayhydrol® (Bayer, Pittsburgh, Pa.), and the Cytec Industries (West Paterson, N.J.) HP line. These are generally latices of polyurethanes, occasionally compounded with one or more of the acrylics, polyesters, polycarbonates or silicones, each lending the final cured resin in a specific set of properties defined by glass transition temperature, degree of “tack,” softness, clarity, flexibility, water permeability and solvent resistance, elongation modulus and tensile strength, thermoplastic flow, and solids level. Some water-borne systems can be mixed with reactive monomers and catalyzed to form more complex resins. Some can be further cross-linked by the use of a crosslinking reagent, such as an aziridine, for example, which reacts with carboxyl groups.

A typical application of a water-borne resin and aqueous capsules follows. A volume of particles is centrifuged at low speed to separate excess water. After a given centrifugation process, for example 10 minutes at 60×G, the capsules are found at the bottom of the centrifuge tube, while the water portion is at the top. The water portion is carefully removed (by decanting or pipetting). The mass of the remaining capsules is measured, and a mass of resin is added such that the mass of resin is between one eighth and one tenth of the weight of the capsules. This mixture is gently mixed on an oscillating mixer for approximately one half hour. After about one half hour, the mixture is ready to be coated onto the appropriate substrate.

The thermoset systems are exemplified by the family of epoxies. These binary systems can vary greatly in viscosity, and the reactivity of the pair determines the “pot life” of the mixture. If the pot life is long enough to allow a coating operation, capsules may be coated in an ordered arrangement in a coating process prior to the resin curing and hardening.

Thermoplastic polymers, which are often polyesters, are molten at high temperatures. A typical application of this type of product is hot-melt glue. A dispersion of heat-resistant capsules could be coated in such a medium. The solidification process begins during cooling, and the final hardness, clarity and flexibility are affected by the branching and molecular weight of the polymer.

Oil or solvent-soluble polymers are often similar in composition to the water-borne system, with the obvious exception of the water itself. The latitude in formulation for solvent systems is enormous, limited only by solvent choices and polymer solubility. Of considerable concern in solvent-based systems is the viability of the capsule itself—the integrity of the capsule wall cannot be compromised in any way by the solvent.

Radiation cure resins are generally found among the solvent-based systems. Capsules may be dispersed in such a medium and coated, and the resin may then be cured by a timed exposure to a threshold level of very violet radiation, either long or short wavelength. As in all cases of curing polymer resins, final properties are determined by the branching and molecular weights of the monomers, oligomers and crosslinkers.

A number of “water-reducible” monomers and oligomers are, however, marketed. In the strictest sense, they are not water soluble, but water is an acceptable diluent at low concentrations and can be dispersed relatively easily in the mixture. Under these circumstances, water is used to reduce the viscosity (initially from thousands to hundreds of thousands centipoise). Water-based capsules, such as those made from a protein or polysaccharide material, for example, could be dispersed in such a medium and coated, provided the viscosity could be sufficiently lowered. Curing in such systems is generally by ultraviolet radiation.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, a display element may include more than one optical biasing element, for example, an element embedded in a binder as well as a layer of material added beneath the display medium.